Photographic film unit

ABSTRACT

A photographic film unit of the self-processing type includes preregistered, superposed, photosensitive and process elements mounted on a underlying carrier sheet having a cooperating pod for supplying a fluid processing composition to the two elements and a trap for receiving and retaining any excess processing composition from the elements. The elements are easily separable from the carrier sheet, pod, and trap, the pod and trap remaining with the carrier sheet for convenient disposal after processing. The trap is formed by an extension of the carrier sheet that is folded around and separably coupled to the trailing end of the upper element. Moisture-sensitive cement is provided on an interior surface of the trailing ends of the two elements to couple those ends to each other upon application of compressive force urging the two ends together after the excess processing composition has passed between them, a spacing member being mounted on the carrier sheet beneath and parallel with those ends to assist the compressive force in urging them together. Moisture-sensitive cement is also provided on an interior surface of the trap to seal the trap closed upon application of compressive force after the excess processing composition has passed into it, a spacing member being mounted on the carrier sheet extension to assist the compressive force in closing the trap.

United states P tentjjn i Nerwin 1r] 3,775,127 ]v Nov. 27, 1973 PHOTOGRAPHIC Fl LM UNIT.

Hubert Nerwin, Rochester, NY.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY,

22 Filed: Feb. 1,1971 211 App]. 1 161 11 1513 75 Inventor:

[52] U.S.,Cl 96/76 C, 96/29 R,'95/l3 [51] 1111. Cl G03c 1/48 [58] Field of Search 96/76 c, 29, 76 R; 95/13 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,680,456 8/1972 Nerwin..... 96/76 R 3,352,674 11/1967 Harvey 96/29 3,222,170 12/1965 Eloranta 96/29 2,662,822 12/1953 1 Land 96/29 3,582,335 6/1971 Erlichman. 96/29 3,615,421 10/1971 jLan'dm; 96/29 3,615,540 10/1971 Land...-.. 96/29 3,479,184 ll/l969 Landm, 96/29 Primary Examiner-Norman G. Torchin V *7 Assistant Examiner-:John ,L. Goodrow 1 Attorney-W114. J. Kline and William C. Dixon/III 57 ABSTRACT A photographic film unit of the self-processing type 'includes-preregis'tered, superposed, photosensitive and process elements mounted on a underlying carrier sheet having a cooperating pod for supplying a fluid processing composition to the two elements and a trap for receiving and retaining any excess processing composition from the elements. The elements are easily separable from the carrier sheet, pod, and trap, the pod and trap remaining with the carrier sheet for convenient disposal after processing; The trap is formed by an extension of the carrier sheet that is folded around and separably coupled to the trailing end of the upper element. Moisture-sensitive cement is provided on an interior surface of the trailing ends of the two elements to couple those ends to each other upon application of compressive force urging the'two ends together afterthe excess processing composition has passed between them, a spacing member being mounted on the carrier sheet beneath and parallel with those ends to assist the compressive force in urging them together. Moisture-sensitive cement ,is also provided on an interior surface of the trap to seal the trap closed upon application of compressive force 7 after the excess processing composition has passed into'it, a spacing member being mounted on the carrier sheet extension to assist the compressive force in closing the trap.

3 i 3 0 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PAIENTEMnvzTms 3.775.127 v I f sum 10F 5 2 HUBERT NERWIN Y INVENTOR.

BY @024; cfc9- ,af

ATTORNEYS Pmmmmvzms Y Y 3.775.127 SHEET 2 or 5 HUBERT NERWIN INVENTOR.

ATTOR N EYS PATENTEBnuvmm Y I 3,775,127

- sumams HUBERT NERw INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS PATENTED 19.75

3.775.127 .SHEU '40? 5 FIG. l3-

'HUBERT NERWIN INVENTOR.

FIGQIS BY. ?m4;

ATTORNEYS SHEET s 0? 5 FIG. 18 HUBERT NERWIN INVENTOR.

BY 444%.; C79

' ATTORNEYS film units with material sifor processing theiunits imme- 1 PHOTOGRAPHICE'FIDM UNIT CROSS-REFERENCE TO" RELATED APPLICATIONS" 1 Reference islmade to.commonlyassigned,scopending US. Pat. applications Ser.N0.Q33,677, entitled PHO TooRAPn c APPARATUS and filed lvia 1,1970 In the name oflJonaldMi Harvey;Ser.Nd-"70,83 5,{ enti tledPl-IOTOGRAPHICEFILM UNlTgand filed Sept. -9, 1970 in the name of-HubertNerwin now-abandoned,

.Ser. No. 70,836,:entitled FILM UNITE-and filedSeptgQ, 1970 in the name of Hubert "Nerwin',-and F Ser. No.

I l 1 1,465, entitledZPl-IOTQGRAPHlCWFlLMf UNlTI and filed concurrently with this application in the nameof *Hubert Nerwin.

BACKGROUND OFTl-IE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe lnvention '2 i i :closed;'for example, in French Patents No, 2,006,255

and No .2,006',256, granted to Polaroid Corporation andipublished..Dec. (26, l 969. ,Filrn.munits of the type havingthe image re'ceiving layer .located in the photosensitive element are disclosed, forexample, in commonlylassign ejd, copending US. Patljapplication Ser. No, 027,990, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM U IT ,DIFFUSION TRANSFER PROCESSING, filed Ap. 13, 1970 in thename of Harold -E. Cole now abandoned. i

The vdevelopment. of commercially practical film units of;,the preregistered or integral type hasconsti- 1 tuted. a' significant; step, toward alleviating some of the problems inherent in peel-apart units, such'as those encountered in first superposing and then separating the photosensitive and image-receiving elements. At the sarne time,however, numerous and often unexpected This invention relates gen'erally to' photographic film units of theself-processing type, and particularly to .i

such film units comprising preregi stered photosensitive and process elements removably mounted onacarrier -sheet.

"2. Description. of thePriorArt" It is well known in the photographicaI-tsntoprovide diately after their. exposurelGenerally such. unitsinclude' a photosensitive element; comprising a support havin'g thereonat least one layer of photosensitive ma- :terial, and a second. elementaadapted .tobe registered over the photosensitive. element'forprocessing'. A viscous'fluid processing composition-is'released from .a H rupturablepod at one end of 'theunitsand isgspread toward the other end by passing the unit'betweenjuxtaposed pressure-applying 'members that distribute "the composition in a .layer. ofpredetermined thickness be- In most presently. commercial film';units,,f generally referred to as being of the .fpeel apartf type, the photosensitive and-second elements are separated before and during exposure, and thereafter arebrought into -superposition for processing. Theimage-receiving layer is in the second element, and that element iscstripped from .the rest of the. unit aft'e'rpro'cessing to provide a posi 1 tive, right-reading print:- Such. units are; disclosed, for 1 example, in U.Si- PaL No. 2,69 8 ,243,"'No 3,080,805,

andNo. 3,511,659,. v I

This invention is concerned with amore I-ec nq d veloped type of :film' unit, :.generally referred to as a preregisteredior .integral unit, in which-aphotol sensitive element and a" process :she'et orksecond ele- 'ment are supplied as a permanently-registered, integral pairof elementsi- The elements 'oflsuch a unit are .superposed prior to exposure andlremainlsuperposed, after :processing; The'qprocessl. sheet or second; element is transparent to' permit'expo sure of the photosensitive material from the .top side"- of'the unit,..and"the'imagereceiving layer islocated in either: the processsheet or, preferably,;:the: photosensitive element to provide a a .g-positive imagethat does. not need to be stripped from therest of the unit; Film units of'the type havingtheim- ;age-receivi ng:layer located "in 'the process sheet are di'snew. problems-have been encountered. 'For example,

. with a peel-apart unit it is relatively easy to separate the finishedprint from its leader, pod, trap, and'other processing waste material, Suchiseparationis facilitated by the moistenedcondition of the interface between the photosensitive and 'image receiving elements, the

rmoistenedcondition resulting'from thedistribution of ,25

the processing composition between those elements. in

integral units, however, the finishedprint comprises the "photosensitive element and process sheet permanently .sattachedtol each other, and separation of the processingwaste materials therefrom may be more difficult because it does not occurat the moistened interface provided'by the distributed processing composition. lncommonly.assigned,.copending US. Pat. applications Ser. No. 033,677, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS and filed May' 1, 1970 in the name of .'Donald M;Harvey,and Ser. No: 70,835, entitled PHO IT'OGRAPHIC FILM UNIT and filedSept. 9, 1970 in uthe" name of "Hubert Nerwin now abandoned, there have-been disclosed integral film units with associated leaders, pods, and traps that provide solutions to certain-of the aforementioned problems. A particular -problem not completely solved .in those twoapplications is'that of-providing an efficient means of conveniently and positivelysealing the trailingends of the any excess processing composition has passed between photosensitive element andprocess sheet together-after :those two-ends tothe'trap adjacent thereto. A similar problem not there. solved is that of providing an efflcient means of conveniently and positively sealing the I leading end of the trap closed after the fluid has passed into it; In the aforementioned U.S.Pat. No. 2,698,243,

, disclosing afilm. unit of the-peelaparttype, a trapis .formed by bringing together opposingportions .of the .carrier sheetsibearing the photosensitiveand second elements,the trap beingtsealed closed, after the excess processing composition has passed into it, by means of a' st'rip of moisture-sensitive or pressure-sensitive adhe- 1 'sive material appliedto one of the carrier sheets. In the apart ofithetrailing endof the-film unit, isv sealed closed, .after the excess' processing composition has passed intov it, by means of the moisture-and pressure- -.sensitive adhesive-property of the surfaces being ,sealed: Nowherein the prior art known to Applicantis -there disclosed a convenient,- positive, fool-proof means of sealing closed the trailing ends of the photosensitive element and process sheet ,of an integral type of-film unit, and the leading end of the trap used with such a unit, where the trap is to be detached from the photosensitive element and process sheet comprising the finishedprint after any excess processing composition has been received by the trap. Consequently, for such a film unit an efficient means of conveniently and positively sealing the trailing ends of the photosensitive and process elements together after excess processing composition has passed therebetween, and an efficient means of sealing the leading end of the trap closedafter the excess processing composition has passed into the trap, are. highly desirable in order to prevent unintended escape of any residual processing composition from between: the two elements and'the' trap, respectively, subsequent to separation er the elements from the trap, particularly in view of the possible effects which the caustic nature of such composition may have .on the surrounding environment, such as the skinor clothing of. the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-processing film unit of the integral type, "comprising preregistered photosensitive andproeess elements and a separable trap, wherein the unit includes'an efficient means of conveniently and positively sealing the trailing ends of the two elements closed after fany excess processing composition has passed between those ends to the trap. Another object of the invention "is to provide such (an improved film unit wherein the: unit 'further includes an efficient means of conveniently and-positively sealing the f lead-. ing end of the 'trapclosedafter' the excess processing composition .has passed into the trap. A further object of the invention is to provide such :an improved film unit'wherein the ffilmunit further includes means for facilitating theseparation'of the trap from the two elements. A still further object of the invention is toprovide such an improved film unit at a minimum cost of manufacture in orderto provide the benefits obtainable from such a unit .at aminimum cost to the ultimate user. 7 I Y To meet these and other objects, the present invention provides an improved self-processing film unit comprising a pair of prere"gistered, superposed lower and upper elcments'including a layer of photosensitive material for establishinga developable latent image of a subject to which the photosensitive material can'be. exposed and a layer of image-recording material for recording a visible image in response to development of improved self-processing film unit of the present invention also comprises means for supplying the processing tion further comprises a leader underlying the two elemerits and the supplying means, the leader. being removably coupled to the first and second longitudinal marginal portions of the lower element and permanently coupled to the supplying means. The improved self-processing film unit of the present invention fur ther comprises means on the inward-facing surface of at least one of the second transverse marginal portions of thetwo elements for coupling the second transverse marginal portions to each other upon application of compressive force urging the second transverse mar ginal portions together. The improved self-processing film unit of the present invention further comprises a spacing member permanently coupled to the leader under and parallel with the second transverse marginal portions of the two elements to assist the compressive force in urging the second transverse marginal portions together. The improved self-processing film unit of the present invention may further comprise means adjacent to the second transverse marginal'portions for re- I ceiving and retaining any excess portion of the processing composition from theimage portions of the two elements. The receiving and retaining means-may include anlextension of the leader folded around and over the second transverse marginal portions, the end portion of the. leader extension being removably coupled to the second transverse marginal portion of the upper element. The end portion may in turn be folded back upon itself to provide a back-foldedportion and an overlying main portion, the back-foldedportion being adjacent BRIEF DESCRIPTION on THE DRA INGS In the detailed. description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is the latent image, each of the two elements having first and second longitudinal marginal portions along which the elements are permanently coupled to each other, first and second transverse marginal portions interconnecting the longitudinafmarginal portions, and an image portion intermediate the marginal portions,each

' portion of each element having an inward-facing'surface, each inward-facing surface of one element facing a corresponding inward-facing surface of the other element, the two elements beingiseparable from each other at the inward-facing surfaces of their transverse marginal and image portions so that a processing composition adapted to effect development of the latent image and recording of the visible image can pass between the transverse marginal and image portions. The

made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a film unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with portions thereof broken away for clarityof illustration;

FIG. 2 is'an exploded view of the film unit of FIG. 1, showing its principal component parts; i

FIG; 3 isan enlarged partial sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the trailing end portion of the film unit as it appears before the unit has passed between pressure-applying members;

, FIG. 4 is an enlarged'partialsectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the image portions of the photosensitive andprocess elements of the film unit disposed between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members;

. FIG. 6 but showing FIG. is an enlarged sectionalview taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the image portions of the two elements disposed between the pressure-applying members; i f

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the trailing end portions of the photosensitive and process elements of'the filmunit'disposed. between the pressure-applying members;

FIG. 7 is an. enla'rged partial sectional view,"taken I alongline 7'-7 of FIG." 6, showing the trailing end por- THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. l-l2 of the drawings illustrate an improved self-processing film unit constructed in accordance with the preferred embodimentof the present invention. i h e Referring nowto FIG. 1, a film unit 1 is shown comprising acarrier sheet or leader 2, an image-recording unit 3',including photosensitive and process elements 4 and 5, respectively, a supplying means 6 for supplying a fluid processing composition to'the image-recording unit, and a trap 7 for receiving and retaining any excess portion of the processing composition from the imagerecording unit. V i

The photosensitive'and process elements 4 and 5 are I accurately constructed to define sheets having straight edges, square corners, and appropriate borders, and are appropriately registered during manufacture to 1 provide a uniformly flat, aesthetically pleasing struccompletely withdrawn from the pressure-applying membersand after the photosensitive and process elemerits-have been separated from the remainder of the unit; 1 "f i FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 10.but showing only thetwo elements as they appear after reverting to'their original configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of theelementsof FIG. 11, with a comer of the process element turned .upfor clarity ,of illustration;

FIG. l3'is a partialtop plan viewof a'film' unit'in accordance with thefirstalternative embodiment of the present invention-,with portions thereoftu'rnedup for clarity of illustration, v Y' FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial sectional view, taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13, showing the trailing end portions of the photosensitiveand process :elements of the film unit disposed between a vpair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members; 1 i

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectionalview, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, showing the trailing end por:

sure-applying members; a 4 FIG.,16 is a partial top plan'view of a film unit in accordance with'the second alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, with portions thereof turned up for clarity of illustration; 1 i

FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial sectional view, taken along line l7-17 of FIG. 16, showing the trailing end tions of the two elements disposed between the presture that will maintain its integrity after processing. Except for the supplying means, trap, and carrying sheet or leader, image-recording unit 3 is supplied with all parts necessary for its'processing in cooperation with photographic apparatus, and all such parts are permanentlyheld together withoutadversely affecting the finished print.

Carrier sheet or leader 2 supports and is coupled to image-recording unit 3 and supplying means 6, and forms part of trap 7, the supplying means and trap being coupledto .the recording unit in order'to discharge the processing composition between the photosensitive and process elements atone end of the re- 1 cordingunit and to receive and retain anyexcess por tion ofthe processing composition frombetween the two elements at the.oppositeend of the unit. Carrier sheet 2 is particularly adapted to facilitate handling of the entirefilm unit 1 from the first stages of its manufacture, through completion of the finished print, to

disposal of all processing waste material. Carrier sheet 2 comprises an individual sheet'that is shown directly coupled to only one image-recording unit, although it i may also'be coupledto other similar units in an assemportions of the photosensitive and process elements of I the film unit disposed between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members;'and 7 FIG. 18'is an enlarged sectional. view, taken along line 1818 of FIG. 17,- showing'the trailing end portions of the two elements disposed. between the pressure-applying members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Because certain, aspects of photographic film units and cooperating apparatus are well -known, the following description is directed in particular to those elements forming, or cooperating directly 'with, the present-invention, elements that are not specificallyshown or describedherein being understood to beselectable fromthose known in the art.

blage of units. Carrier sheet 2 is adaptedto facilitate its alignme'ntwith. the-other parts of ,the film unit during manufacture, :transport of thefilm unit from an assemblage of such units during use in cooperating photographic apparatus, and its being rolled up with other processing waste'material such as'the supplying means and trap for disposal after processing.

Supplying means 6 and trap 7 are permanently coupled tocarrier sheet 2, and are removably coupled to image-recordingunit 3. The image-recording. unit is removably coupled to the carrier sheet. As'will be described more fully'here'inafter, such an arrangement of permanent and removable couplings permits convenient removal of the image-recording unit(de'fining the finished print) from the carrier sheet, supplying means, a

and trap after processing. The carrier sheet, supplying means, and trap, which then comprise the processing waste material, can conveniently be rolled up and discarded, the carrier sheet surroundingthe pod and trap toprotect any sensitive environment '(e.g., the users clothing or skin) from any processing composition remaining in the waste material.

With regard to the image-recording unit 3, photosensitive element 4 thereof comprises a substantially flat,

resilient support of transparentcellulose triacetate film base defining 'a first or leading end 10, a second ortrailing end 1 l, longitudinal edges 13 and 15, and a central der, the support being located near the bottom or lower I ciently-impervious to the processing composition to face of the element adjacent to carrier sheet 2, so that the support protects that side of the unit, and the silver halide emulsion being located near the top or upper,

- ginal portions 200 of elements 4 and 5 are resiliently face of the element so that the emulsion is protected by the transparent process sheet 5. Aswill become more apparent hereinafter, the silver halide emulsion isadapted to be exposed through process sheet 5, i.e., from the top side of the unit,,and' the developed print is adapted to be viewed through the transparent support, i.e., from the bottom side of the unit. -Photosensitiv e element 4 further includes appropriate means, illustrated by imaginary lines as a border comprising, longitudinal border of marginal portions 20a, 20b and transverse border or marginal portions 20c, 20d, for'defining an exposure frame within which a latent image can be developed and a print frame (preferably white) within which a visible image can be recorded. The exposure and print frames are coextensive and may be defined in any one of a number of'ways including preflash'and photoresist techniques applied to one'or more layers of the element.

, The process sheet or second element 5 also is preferably formedfrom a'transparent material, such as cellulose triacetate film base, and defines a resilient, substantially flat sheet having leading and trailing ends, longitudinal edges, anda central or image portion cor-' V responding to and coextensive with their counterparts in photosensitive element 4. To avoid excessive crowding of the drawing, separate reference numerals have not been applied to these corresponding parts of process sheet 5. It should be understood, however, that such'parts are aligned with 'and 'can bereferred to or located by the reference numerals applied to their'counterparts in photosensitive element 4 just as they are 're- 'ferred to in the same or similar terms. in addition to famaintained in their: preregistered, superposed, facing relationship by any permanent coupling means 21 to maintain the structural integrity of image-recording.

unit 3. As illustrated and described more fully in commonly assigned, copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 70,836, entitled FILM UNIT and filed Sept. 9,

' 1970 in the name of Hubert Nerwin nowabandoned, coupling means 21 may comprise a contact-sensitive, cohesive material applied to both photosensitive ele-- ment 4 and process sheet 5. Other satisfactory coupling "means may be provided by heat or sonic seals, or by adhesive material applied to either one or both of the photosensitive element and process sheet. Preferably,

the coupling means extends along longitudinal marginal portions 20a and 20b, adjacent to longitudinal edges'l3 and 15, respectively, from leading end'l0 to trailing end 11. The resulting couplingshould be suffiprevent its premature escape from between the longitu 'dinal edges during processing.

Regardless of the particular type of coupling means used, the photosensitive and processelements are secured substantially indirect contacting relationship, or

the equivalent thereof, along their longitudinal marginal portions so that their central or image portions are retained in their preregistered, superposed relationship. As will be described hereinafter, transverse marseparable to permit the introduction of processing composition between the two elements at their leading ends; similarly, transverse marginal portions 20d of ele-' merits 4 and 5 are resiliently separable to permit the discharging of any excess portion of the composition from between the two elements at theirtrailing ends.

Image-recording unit 3, comprising photosensitive elementi4 and process-sheet 5, is particularly adapted to cooperate with various parts of the morec omprehensive film unit 1. Film' unit 1 includes, in addition to image-recording unit 3, the carrier sheet or leader 2, supplying means 6, and-trap 7, all of which cooperate with unit 3 to effect the recording of an image therein when'used in suitable photographic apparatus,

Trap "7 generally comprisesa pair of lifters 4 l mounted on opposite ends of a spacing element 43 that is permanently coupled to thelower portion-45 of an extension 47 of carrier sheet 2, the upper portion 49 of the extension overlying lifters 41 and'transverse marginal portion 20d of process sheet 5 to retain any received excess processing composition between the lifters. I

.Upper portion 49 of the-carrier sheet extension terminates in, an end portion or lip 51 that is folded back coupling easily separable .or removable.

Use of a back-folded lip in this manner offers several advantagesover a lip which is not so folded. First, removal of the lip of the trap from its position above transverse marginal portions-20d, of image-recording 50 unit 3 is rendered easier because the back-folded lip can simply be peeled or rolled back and thereby funfolded as removal takes place. Second, the thickness of back-folded portion 53 assists the compressive force in urging the transverse marginal portions 20d together,

as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. Third, when the back-folded lip becomes unfolded upon its removal from image-recording unit 3, back-folded portion 53 provides an extension for the'trap which safely covers the end of the flow of the excess processing composition into the trap, as will be described more fully with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10-.

The'lifters 41 are substantially incompressible and cooperate with carrier sheet extension 47 and spacing element 43 to define surfaces enclosing a chamber or void that is maintained even when that portion of the film unit passes between pressure-applying members of cooperating photographic apparatus.

9 a included in trap 7 isa means for sealing thegtrap closedupon application of compressive'force urging the trap closed after any .excessportion of the .composition has been received therein. 'Such sealing means comprises a coating of adhesive orcohesive cement applied to one or more interior surfacesof the'trap; so that suitable attachment to other units. The assemblage may be assembled in many different arrangements, both simple and complex,@withnosignificant change in the unit itself except, perhaps, in the manner of folding the thosesurfaces will'remain coupled to eachother. after the compressive :force has "beenfremoved. As: shown in FlG.' 3, the lower andupperportions'45 and of carrier sheet extension 47 have opposite interior surfaces :59 and=6l respectively. :Permanentlycoupled to surface I '59 isa spacing member63 which servesat'wo-fold purpose that willibeexplained hereinafter. The leadingend "portion 65 of spacingaelement 43 overlaps'the trailing end portion 67.0f spacingrme'mber 63 as-shown. Provided on the upward-facing surface .of leading end por tion65 is a coating ofmoisture-sensitive cohesive .ce-'

ment 69. Similarly, there is provided on downwardfacing-surface 6 1 a coating of moisture-sensitive.cohesive cement 71. Aswill'beexplained in more detail hereinafter, application of a compressive force F urging portions 65 and-49together will'bringthecoatings' of: cohesive 'cement69and 71' into contact with each other and thereby cause trap 7 to remainsealed closed afterthe force F hasbeen 'removed.

Supplying means g6fcomprises cooperating parts which together define suitable means for supplying a processing composition to image-recording unit 3.

' Such parts include ,arupturable containeror pod7-3 ratus. The container or pod 73 cooperates with leading end"l of image-recordingunit3: todischarge the processing compositionbetween photosensitive element4 and process sheet 5, and for'thisrpurpose' is coupled to a directing means or'funnelr 83 having-atrailingend portion inserted between the transverse marginal portions 20c of photosensitive element 4 andprocesssheet 5, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Carrier sheet/.2 comprises an elongate web offlexible material that can convenientlybecut as-a-single piece having the desired shape. The configuration illustrated permits assembly of :eachfilrn unit independently of other such unitsand in, a manner especially conducive to assembly-line or automated methods. By way of example only, the carrier sheet can be laid out on a flat vacuum table, and the various cooperating partsjsuch tcarriershe et or-in t he attachment of one or more supplemental leaders (not shown).

Carriersheet 2 preferably is cut from a continuous roll of coated paper. Such-paper shouldbe flexible and easilyfolded-while resisting tearingor cracking even after'long periods of storage. Moreover, it should be strongintension and have 'a protective coating to repel fiuids, such as the.processingcomposition, that 'might .result in:reducing itsstrength. T he :same coating can enhancetheperformance of the carrier sheet by reducing its coefficient of friction and thereby rendering it more slidable overotherjfilm units in an assemblage.

The carrier sheet should have a slight resiliency, i.e., it v should be neither so stiff nor so resilient as to interfere with its being folded to provide a compact and com "pressible stack of units. Also, the carriersheet should accept avwidevarietyof coupling means, such as adhesives, cohesives, and seals'(e.g., ultrasonic or heat),-so

' that item be suitably coupled to thevarious other parts tral or unit-supporting portion 89. The length of lead- I comprising the overall film unit.

Carrier sheet 2 comprises a first or leading end portion"85, aSBCOHdOIf trailing end portion 87, and a cening end. portion 85 depends upon'many factors, such as the-manner inwhicha plurality of film units are to be connected in an assemblage: thereof. In the illustrated embodiments, the carrier sheet of-one film unit is adapted tobecoupled tothe carrier sheet of another film'unit near theleading .end of the other unit, and thereforeuextends somewhat beyond pod 73 as-shown;

Should it be desired to couple. thecarrier sheet of one film unit to the carrier sheet of another film unit near v 'the trailing end of the other unit,-leading end portion 85 could-be extended byan appropriate amount or a supplemental leader couldbe provided to increase the effective-length. of the carrier sheet.

The carrier sheet is provided with suitable coupling 1 means, such as adhesives, cohesives, or seals 91, 93 95,

1 97, and"99,*for"coupling pod 73, funnel 83, imagerecording-unitB, spacer rnember:63,- andspacer element-43,-respectively, to the carrier sheet. The cou-' ,plingmeans may be anadhesive applied only to the caras spacing member .63, spacingelement 43 with lifters I 41 mounted thereon, irnage recording units3, and supplying means 6, can thenbe appropriatelycoupled to theoutstretchedsurface of. the carrier sheet.

Carrier sheet 2 may also serve. to: interconnect various ones of a plurality of film units in -an assemblage or pack thereof ('not shown), andto transport the: units-in gphotographic'. apparatus such as acartridgev or'camera 6 (not shown). For that purpose-carrier sheet P2 is adapted to be? folded inalmost any desired'manner'at one or more locations along itsleading endportiomfor rier sheet or onlyxtoithe, pod, funnel, image-recording unit, spacing member, and spacing element. Preferably, i-however, especially for the pod, funnel, spacing member,,and spacing element, acohesive-is applied tothe carrier sheetand to each of the parts to be coupled thereto, since acohesive once applied, will adhere only .to. the sameor asimilarcohesive. Thus, a suitable cohesive maybe applied to each of the parts at a plant location' other than, and at a time prior to, their assembly.

The parts, then, can be handled with the cohesive apf .plied,and no;particular precautionary measure need be taken to prevent them from sticking to the handling apparatus. Whenthe parts are assembled in their inte ndedcontacting relationship, however, the cohesive on eachcontacting partimmediately becomes effective .tocouplethose parts together in'the desired manner, -.e.g., removably in the case of the image-recording unit orpermanently in: the caseof thepod, funnel, spacing member, and" spacing element.

The coupling means may be applied tothe entire contactingarea of;each part or to only aportion of such sheet, but is applied to only small discrete portions of each contacting area of the imagerecording unitto provide a separable or removable coupling between that part and the carrier'sheet. Also, corner portions 1010f image-recording unit 3 maybe left free to "separate from the carrier sheet when grasped bytheuser to facilitate removal of image-recording unit 3 from the remainder of film unit 1 after processing. 7

Funnel 83 and trap 7. are also removably coupledto image-recording unit 3. Such coupling, however, may

be only functional; As will be described morefully hereinafter, the lips at the trailingend of funnel 83 are disposed "between the transverse marginal portions 20::

of photosensitive and process elements "4 and 5, and

transverse marginal portions 20d of the photosensitive and process elements are disposed under end portion 51 of upper portion 49 of carrier sheet extension 47, no adhesive, cohesive, or other coupling means being required, although in this embodiment the adhesive coating 57 is provi'ded-on"back-folded portion 53, as already described, to removably coupleportions 53 and 20d to each other. 7

Referring now to FIG. 4, film unit'l is intended to be used in photographic apparatus such as a camera having stepped pressure-applying members 103 and 105 that are urged towardeach other by a spring or other biasing meansl04, as illustrated and described in commonly assigned, copending U.S.- Pat. application Ser. No. 70,836, entitled FILM UNIT and filed Sept. 9, 1970 in the nameof Hubert Nerwinnow abandoned. In operation, raised shoulder portions 103a and 105a of pressure-applying members 103 and 105 are adapted to ride-on longitudinal marginalportions 20a and 20b,

of image-recording unit'3 as the unit is pulled between the two members, while recessed central portions 103b and 105b of members 103 and 105 are adapted to rupture pod 73 and spread its processing composition C in a uniform layer-between photosensitive and processelements 4 and 5. I

As the processingcomposition is expelled from pod tions 103b and 10517 of the pressure-applying members. The distance between central portions 103b and 105b is selected to spread the composition in a layer of suittirely through or otherwise from between the photosensitive and process elements to the surrounding atmosphere, resulting eventually in the evaporation of most of the processing composition. The composition comprises only a very small percentage of solids, e.g., less than 5 percent, and most of the remainder of the composition (essentially water) eventually escapes from between the two elements withina few hours. As a result,

the h'ydraulic forces holding the photosensitive and process elements apart are relieved, and the resiliency of the elements effects their return to facing engagement. By this time, the image-recording unit again has assumed its original uniformly flat configuration. Since the image-recording unit 3 is adapted to be stripped from the carrier'sheet, as described more fully hereinafter, the finished print will be presented in the very same complete structure that was accurately cut and assembled as the image-recording unit. at the time of manufacture.

Certain additional features of a iilm'unit according i the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Referring to FIG; 2, theprocessing composition directing means or funnel 83 isshown as comprising a pair of superposed sheets 107 and 109 of flexible, vapor-impervious material, each sheet having longitudinal edge portions 1 11 and 1 13 along which the i 1 two sheets areperrnanently coupled to each other, and

transverse edge portions 115 and 117 forming, respectively, the leading and trailing end portions of the funnel. Trailing edges 81 of pod 73 are inserted between and permanently coupled to transverse edge portions 115 of funnel83, as shown, to enable funnel 83 to receive processing composition from pod 73 when the pod is ruptured. At the trailingend of funnel 83, edge portions 117 are inserted between but not otherwise coupled to transverse marginal portions 20c of the phtosensitive and process elements v4 and 5. The lead able initial thickness, e.g., 0.003 inches. Since the total thickness of photosensitive element 4, process sheet 5, and carrier sheet 2 is automatically accounted for by the engagement of their longitudinal marginal portions ing portion of the. inward-facing surface, of each trans verse marginal portion 20c is providedwith a cohesive coupling means 119 which is covered over by the adjacent one of the edge portions 117 of funnel 83. The cohesive coupling means 119 on each portion 200 comprises a coating of cohesive cement which does not adhere readily to the adjacent edge portion 117 but which will cohere readily with the like coating of cohesive cement on the opposite portion 200 after edge portions 117 have been withdrawn from between the two portions 20c. Thus, after edge portions 117 have been withdrawn, the portions 200 need merely be pressed together by the user in order to effect the desired coupling. Sheets 107 and 109 of funnel 83 are separable from each other between their longitudinal edge portions 111 and 113 so thatthe processing composition can pass from the pod between'the two sheets to the image-recording unit.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the transverse marginal portions-20d of image-recording unit 3 are defined by a photoresist coating 121 applied to the interior or inward'facing surface of photosensitive element 4. To provide for the coupling of elements 4 and 5 to each other. along their transverse marginal portions 20d .means being adapted to couple portions 20d to each other upon application of a compressive force urging those, portions together. Such compressive force is applied by pressure-applying members 103 and 105 as the film unit is'drawn between them. The trailing portion of the inward-facing surface of each transverse marginal portion 20dis provided with a'moisture-sensitive, or moisture-activated cohesive coupling means 123, although a suitable adhesive could be applied to only one of those surfaces in order to effect the desired coupling. The moisture-sensitive cohesive couplingmeans 123 on each portion 20d comprises a coating of cement V which becomes activated to cohere re'a'dily with the like coating of cement on theop'posite portion '20:! only after at least one of those coatings hasbeen moistened by the excess processing composition. Thus, after the excess processing composition has passed therebe-' tween, the portions20d'need' merely be urged together by the pressure-applying members in order to effect the desired coupling. n

'FIG. 4 shows film unit 1 as the pressureapplying members 103 and 105. arepositioned' above and below, respectively, the'imag'e portions 16of elements 4 and 5,'and as the processingcompo'sition C ispa'ssing between coatingsf123. FIG. 5 shows howthe'raisedshoulportions 103a and 105mm thereby [permit the pressure-applying members 103 and 105 to pressportions 49 and 65 firmlytogether to effect the: desired coupling of those portions by means of cement coatings 71 and FIG. 10 shows trap 7 after it has been sealed closed 'with'the unfolded lip 51 extending forward over spacing member "63, and image-recording unit 3 separated I from the carrier sheet with the processing composition C still confined between elements 4 and 5. FIG.fll shows unit3 afterthe processing composition has been absorbed by or 1 evaporated through or between elements 4 and 5, the two elements'having returned to their initial positions wherein their image portions are infacing contact with each other.-FIG..12- is a perspective view of unit 3 with a corner of element 5 turned up to better illustrate'its component parts.

The most convenient manner of removing imagerecording unit3 from supplying means'6, after all of film unit -1 has passed between the pressure-applying members, is'to first-flex or'bend carrier sheet 2 downwardly at its trailing end87, thereby causing lip 51 to be pulled completely away from transverse marginal portions 20d and thecarrierv sheet to be'stripped from image-recording unit 3. Preferably, the imagerecording unit is significantly less flexible than the carrier sheet, and therefore tends to remain relatively flat.

FIG. 6 shows film unit 1 as the pressure-applying members 103 and'105 are positioned above and below, respectively, the transverse marginal portions 20d of elements 4 and 5, member 103 beingshown on top of lip 51 of trap 7. It-will be seen in FIG. 7 that backfolded portion 53 of lip 5 land spacing member 63 on carrier sheet 2 are slightly'na'rrowe'r. in width than the recessed central portions1-03b and 105b of the pressure-applying members. This is to permit the thickl0 5b relative to the raised-shoulder portions 103a and 105a, to thereby permit the pressure-applying members 103-and'105 to press the transverse marginalportions 20d firmly together to effect the desired coupling of portions 20d by means of the cement coatings 123.

FIG. 8 shows film unit 1 asthe pressure-applying members 103 and 105-are positionedabove and below,

thereby become separated from image-recordingunit 3. As shown in FIG. '9, theleading end portion 65 of spacing element 43 and spacing member 63 are slightly narrower in width than the recessed central portions 103b and 105b 'ofthe pressure-applying members. This is topermit the thicknesses of portion 65 and member 63 to'compensate for the depths of the recessed central portions 103b and 105b relative to the raisedshoulder 'nesses of portion 53 andmember 63 tocompensate for the depths of the recessed central portions -l03b-and' Thenext step is to pull the leading end85 of the carrier sheet, and with it the pod and funnel, away from the im age-recording. unit. This causes the trailing end portion of the funnel to become completely withdrawn from the leading end portion of image-recording unit 3. The

user can the'n press the leading portions ;of the transverse marginal portions 20c togetherfsothat the cohesive coupling 'meansll9 will effect the desired coupling at that point.

- "Should bending of the/carrier sheet in the above describednmanner prove ineffective as a means of separating the image-recording unit from the supplying means, trap, and carrier sheet, the user caninsert a fingernail-or other objectbetween the image-recording unit and the carriersheetat the unattached corner 101 soas to grasp the 'unit andnioreforcefully separate it from the other parts in amanner similar to that described above. i

The pod, funnel, and trap remain-with the carrier sheetafter the image-recording unit has been removed therefrom, and can be rolled up in the carrier sheet to enclose any remaining processing composition and thereby protect the immediate environment, e.g., the users clothing or skin, from the composition.

' film unit constructed in accordance with the first alternative embodimentof the presentinvention. Parts that are the same in both the preferred embodiment and the first alternative embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, whereas parts that differ are designated by the same reference numerals primed. As

will be seen, the first altemativeembodiment is the same as the preferred embodiment except that in the i first alternative embodiment, the upper portion 49 of the carrier sheet extension-47' terminates in an end portion or lip51 that is not folded back upon itself to provide a back-folded portion and an overlying main portion as in the preferred embodiment. Instead, lip 51 provides only a single thickness of carrier sheet material overlying and removably coupled to the transverse marginal portion 20d of process sheet by means of adhesive coating 57 as shown in FIG. 14. As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 15, lip 51 and spacing member 63 are. slightly narrower in width than the recessed central portions 10312, and 105b of the pressure-applying members to permit the thicknesses of lip 51 and member 63 to compensate for the depths of the recessed central portions 1031; and 105b, to thereby permit e pressure-applying members to press the transverse marginal portions 20d firmly togetherto effect the desired coupling of portions 20d by means of the cement coatings 123. In all other respects,.the two embodiments are identical. a I I THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT An improved self-processing film unit constructed in accordance with the secondalternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. '16-18. Parts in this embodiment that are identical to those in the preferred embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, whereas differing parts are designated by the same numerals double-primed. In this embodiment, the carrier sheet 2" at its trailing end terminates flush with the trailing end 1 l of photosensitive element 4, and the carrier sheet extension 47" comprises a separate sheet of carrier sheet material whose leading end portion 125 underlies and is permanently coupled to the trailing end of 'the carrier sheet, as shown in FIG. 17, by means of adhesive cement 127. End portion 125 and end portion or lip 51" are both slightly narrower in width than the recessed central portions 103b and l05b of the pressure-applying members to permit the thicknesses of those portions to compensate for the depths of the recessed central portions 103b and 105b,

along which said elements are permanently coupled to each other, first and second transverse marginal portions interconnecting said longitudinal marginal portions, and an image portion intermediate said marginal portions, each portion of each element having an inward-facing surface, each inward-facing surface of one element facing a corresponding inward-facing surface of the other element, said elements being separable from each other at the inward-facing surfaces of their transverse marginal and image portions so that a processing composition adapted to effect'development of the latent image and recording of the visible image can to thereby permit the pressureapplying members to i press the transverse marginal portions 20d firmly together to effect the desired coupling of portions 20d by means of the cement coatings 123. As shown in FIG. 16, upper portion49" of 'carrier sheet extension'47 is of such narrower width nearly as far back as the leading edges of lifters 41, so that the thicknesses of both that portion and the equally narrow leading endportion 65 of spacing element 43 can similarly compensate for the depths of recessed central portions 103b and 105b to thereby permit the pressure-applying members to press portions 49 and 65 firrnly together to seal the trap closed by means of the cement coatings 71 and 69. It will thus be seen that a separate spacing member such as the member 63 used in the preferred and first altemative embodiments is not necessary in this embodiment, and is therefore eliminated. 1

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the illustrated preferred andalternative embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: a

1. In a self-processing film unit comprising a pair of preregistered,-superposed elements including a layer of photosensitive material'for establishing a developable latent image of a subject to which-said photosensitive material can be exposed and a layer of image-recording material for recording a visible image in response to'development of the latent image, each of said elements having first and second longitudinal marginal portions means for supplying said processing composition between said first transverse marginal portions to said image portions, said supplying means including a rupturable pod containing said processing composition and means for directing'said composition from said pod, when ruptured, between said first transverse marginal portions, tosai'd-image por tions; the improvement comprising: i a leader underlying said elements and said supplying means, said leader being removably coupled to'said first and second longitudinal marginal portions of one of said elements, and permanently coupled to said supplying means; means on the inward-facing surface of at least one of said second transverse marginal portions for coupling said second transverse marginal portions to each other upon application of compressive force urging said second transverse marginal portions together after supplying said processing composition; and

spacing member permanently coupled to said leader in alignment with said second transverse marginal portions of saidelements toassist the compressive force in urging said second transverse marginal portions together;

2. The self-processingfilm unit claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes moisturesensitive rneans for coupling said second transverse marginal portions to each other after a portion of said composition has passed therebetween.

3. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 1 further comprising means adjacent to said second transverse marginal portions for receiving and retaining any excess portion of said composition from said image portions. I

4. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 3 wherein: said receiving and retaining means includes means for sealing said receiving and retaining means closed upon application of compressive force urging said receiving and retaining means closed after theexcess portion of said'composition has been received therein.

5. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 3 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes an extension of said leader folded around and over said second transverse marginal portions.

6. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 5 wherein said leader extension includes an end portion removably coupled to the second transverse marginal portion of the upper one of said elements.

.7. The self-processing film.unit claimed in claim 5 wherein said leader extension includes an end portion folded back upon itself to provide a back-folded portion and an overlying main portion, said back-folded portion being adjacent to the second transverse :mar-

ginal portion of the other of said elements and forming said spacing member. H a

8, The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 7 wherein said back-folded portion is removably coupled to said second transverse marginal portionof'the'other, of saidelernents'.

9. The self-processing film unit claimed in claimopposition to the influence of compressive force urging said lower and upper "portions together.

10. The self-processing'filmunit claimed in claim 9 2 wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means on one of said interior surfaces for couplingsaid one interior surface and said maintaining means to each other upon application of the compressive force urging saidlower and upper portions'together. A

11. Theself-processing film unit claimed in claiml0 wherein said one surface is theinterior surface of said upper portion of said leader extension, and wherein said coupling means on said onesurface includes moisture-sensitive means for coupling saidsurface and said maintaining means toeach other after the excess portion of said composition has passed therebetween.

. 12. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim '9 wherein said receiving and retaining means further-includes means on said maintaining means for coupling one of said interior surfaces and; said maintaining means to-each other upon application of the compressiveforce urging said lower and upper portions together. 3

-13..The self-processin'gfilmunit claimed in claim 12 wherein said onesu'rface'is the interior surface of said upper portion of said leader=extension, andwherein said coupling means on said maintaining means includes moisture-sensitive means for coupling said surface-and said maintaining means to each other after the excess portion of said composition has passed therebetween.

14. In a film unit processable by a processing composition, said film unit comprising a first element and a second element 'ingsuperposed relationship, said elements'including a layer of photosensitive material for establishing a developable latent image anda layer of image-recording material forrecording a visible image, each of said elements having a pair of lateral border portions along which said elements are coupled to each other, a transverse border portion interconnectingsaid lateral border portions, and an image portion intermediate said lateral border portions, each portion of each element having an inward-facing surface, each inwardfacing'surface of one element facinga corresponding ments being separable from each otherat the'inwardfacing surfaces of their image portions to permit. a distribution of 'the processing composition therebetween; the improvement comprising: means on theinward-facing surface of the transverse border portion of at least one of said elements'for .coupling said elements to each other at-said'tra'nsinward-facing surface of the other element, said eleverse border: portion upon application of a compressive .force urging said transverse border portionstogether after distribution of said processing composition; i i a carrier member separably coupled to said first elefment, saidcarrier member being removable from said firstelement after the distribution of the processing composition between said image portions; i 1 I spacingmeans coupled to said carrier member and in alignment with said transverse border portion for assistingthe compressiveforce"urging said transverse border portions together, said spacing means being removable together with said carriermember from said firstielement. I i i 15. The film unit'.claimed in claim 14 wherein said coupling means includes moisture-activated coupling means. J 16. The film unit claimed in claim 14 further comprising means for supplying the processing composition to. said image portions. 17, The film unit claimed in claim 14 further comprising means adjacent to said transverse border portions' for receiving and retaining any excess portion of the processing composition from said image portions.

18. The film unit claimed in claim '17 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes means for sealing said receiving andretaining means closed upon application of a'compressive force urging said receiving and retainingmeans closed after the excess portion of the processing composition has been received therein.

19. The film unit claimed in claim 17 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a portion of said carrier member extending around said'transverse border portions. Y

20. :The film unitsclaimed in claim 19 wherein said carrier portion is in separable overlapping contact with the transverse border portion of said second element.

21. The film unit claimed inclaim 19 wherein said carrier portion is folded'back upon itself to provide a back-folded portion and an adjacentmain portion, said back-foldedportion beingseparably coupled to the transverse border portion of said second element and forming said spacing meansr I :22. The film unit claimed in claim'19 wherein said carrier portion includes first and second portions extending beyond said elements, said first and second 1 portions having opposing interior. surfaces, and wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means disposed between said interior surfaces for maintaining said surfaces in spaced relationship in opposition to influence of a compressive force urging said first and. second portions together. 7

23..The'fi]m unit claimed in claim 22 whereinsaid .-maintaining means is coupled to the interior surface of said first portion, and wherein said receiving and retaining means'further includes. means for coupling the interior surface of said second portion'to said maintaining means uponapplication of the compressive force .urging said first and second portions together.

. 24. The film unit claimed in claim 23 wherein said means for coupling the interior surface of said second portion to said maintaining means includes moistureactivated coupling means.

25. In a film unit for establishing a latent image of a subject-to which. said film unit is adapted to be exposed and for recording a visible image in response to distribution of a; processing composition across the latent image, said film unit comprising'a pair of superposed elements including photosensitive material for establishing the latent image and image-recording material for recording the visible image, each of said elements having first and second marginal portions and an image portion intermediate said marginal portions, each portion of each element having an inward-facing surface, each inward-facing surface of one element facing a corresponding inward-facing surface of the other element, said elements being'adapted to receive the processing composition between the inward-facing surfaces of their image portions; the improvement comprising:

coupling means on the inward-facing surface of at least one of said second marginal portions, for maintaining said second marginal portions in contact with each other upon application of a compressive force urging said second marginal portions together after distribution of said processing composition; v trapping means, removably disposed in contact with said second marginal portions and having opposing interior surfaces, for receiving and retaining any excess'portion of the processingcomposition from between said image portions; and sealing means, on at least one of said interior sur y t faces, for maintaining said trapping means in a closed condition upon application of a compressive force urging said trapping means closed after distribution of said processing composition. 26. The film unit claimed in claim wherein said coupling means includes moisture-activated coupling means.

prising supplying means, removably disposed in contact with said first marginal portions, for providing the processing composition in between said image portions.

29. The film unit claimed in claim 28 further com- I prising a carrier member removably coupled to said elements and pennanently. coupled to said trapping means and said supplying means.

30. The film unit claimed in claim 29 further-com prising spacing means, permanently coupled to said carrier member substantially in alignment with said coupling means and said sealing means, for assisting the compressive forces urging said second marginal portions together and said trap means closed. 

2. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes moisture-sensitive means for coupling said second transverse marginal portions to each other after a portion of said composition has passed therebetween.
 3. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 1 further comprising means adjacent to said second transverse marginal portions for receiving and retaining any excess portion of said composition from said image portions.
 4. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 3 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes means for sealing said receiving and retaining means closed upon application of compressive force urging said receiving and retaining means closed after the excess portion of said composition has been received therein.
 5. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 3 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes an extension of said leader folded around and over said second transverse marginal portions.
 6. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 5 wherein said leader extension includes an end portion removably coupled to the second transverse marginal portion of the upper one of said elements.
 7. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 5 wherein said leader extension includes an end portion folded back upon itself to provide a back-folded portion and an overlying main portion, said back-folded portion being adjacent to the second transverse marginal portion of the other of said elements and forming said spacing member.
 8. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 7 wherein said back-folded portion is removably coupled to said second transverse marginal portion of the other of said elements.
 9. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 5 wherein said leader extension includes lower and upper portions extending beyond said elements, said lower and upper portions having opposing interior surfaces, and wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means disposed between said interior surfaces for maintaining said surfaces in spaced relationship in opposition to the influence of compressive force urging said lower and upper portions together.
 10. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 9 wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means on one of said interior surfaces for coupling said one interior surface and said maintaining means to each other upon application of the compressive force urging said lower and upper portions together.
 11. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 10 wherein said one surface is the interior surface of said upper portion of said leader extension, and wherein said coupling means on said one surface includes moisture-sensitive means for coupling said surface and said maintaining means to each other after the excess portion of said composition has passed therebetween.
 12. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 9 wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means on said maintaining means for coupling one of said interior surfaces and said maintaining means to each other upon application of the compressive force urging said lower and upper portions together.
 13. The self-processing film unit claimed in claim 12 wherein said one surface is the interior surface of said upper portion of said leader extension, and wherein said coupling means on said maintaining means includes moisture-sensitive means for coupling said surface and said maintaining means to each other after the excess portion of said composition has passed therebetween.
 14. In a film unit processable by a processing composition, said film unit comprising a first element and a second element in superposed relationship, said elements including a layer of photosensitive material for establishing a developable latent image and a layer of image-recording material for recording a Visible image, each of said elements having a pair of lateral border portions along which said elements are coupled to each other, a transverse border portion interconnecting said lateral border portions, and an image portion intermediate said lateral border portions, each portion of each element having an inward-facing surface, each inward-facing surface of one element facing a corresponding inward-facing surface of the other element, said elements being separable from each other at the inward-facing surfaces of their image portions to permit a distribution of the processing composition therebetween; the improvement comprising: means on the inward-facing surface of the transverse border portion of at least one of said elements for coupling said elements to each other at said transverse border portion upon application of a compressive force urging said transverse border portions together after distribution of said processing composition; a carrier member separably coupled to said first element, said carrier member being removable from said first element after the distribution of the processing composition between said image portions; and spacing means coupled to said carrier member and in alignment with said transverse border portion for assisting the compressive force urging said transverse border portions together, said spacing means being removable together with said carrier member from said first element.
 15. The film unit claimed in claim 14 wherein said coupling means includes moisture-activated coupling means.
 16. The film unit claimed in claim 14 further comprising means for supplying the processing composition to said image portions.
 17. The film unit claimed in claim 14 further comprising means adjacent to said transverse border portions for receiving and retaining any excess portion of the processing composition from said image portions.
 18. The film unit claimed in claim 17 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes means for sealing said receiving and retaining means closed upon application of a compressive force urging said receiving and retaining means closed after the excess portion of the processing composition has been received therein.
 19. The film unit claimed in claim 17 wherein said receiving and retaining means includes a portion of said carrier member extending around said transverse border portions.
 20. The film unit claimed in claim 19 wherein said carrier portion is in separable overlapping contact with the transverse border portion of said second element.
 21. The film unit claimed in claim 19 wherein said carrier portion is folded back upon itself to provide a back-folded portion and an adjacent main portion, said back-folded portion being separably coupled to the transverse border portion of said second element and forming said spacing means.
 22. The film unit claimed in claim 19 wherein said carrier portion includes first and second portions extending beyond said elements, said first and second portions having opposing interior surfaces, and wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means disposed between said interior surfaces for maintaining said surfaces in spaced relationship in opposition to influence of a compressive force urging said first and second portions together.
 23. The film unit claimed in claim 22 wherein said maintaining means is coupled to the interior surface of said first portion, and wherein said receiving and retaining means further includes means for coupling the interior surface of said second portion to said maintaining means upon application of the compressive force urging said first and second portions together.
 24. The film unit claimed in claim 23 wherein said means for coupling the interior surface of said second portion to said maintaining means includes moisture-activated coupling means.
 25. In a film unit for establishing a latent image of a subject to which said film unit is adapted to be exposed and for recording a visible image in respoNse to distribution of a processing composition across the latent image, said film unit comprising a pair of superposed elements including photosensitive material for establishing the latent image and image-recording material for recording the visible image, each of said elements having first and second marginal portions and an image portion intermediate said marginal portions, each portion of each element having an inward-facing surface, each inward-facing surface of one element facing a corresponding inward-facing surface of the other element, said elements being adapted to receive the processing composition between the inward-facing surfaces of their image portions; the improvement comprising: coupling means, on the inward-facing surface of at least one of said second marginal portions, for maintaining said second marginal portions in contact with each other upon application of a compressive force urging said second marginal portions together after distribution of said processing composition; trapping means, removably disposed in contact with said second marginal portions and having opposing interior surfaces, for receiving and retaining any excess portion of the processing composition from between said image portions; and sealing means, on at least one of said interior surfaces, for maintaining said trapping means in a closed condition upon application of a compressive force urging said trapping means closed after distribution of said processing composition.
 26. The film unit claimed in claim 25 wherein said coupling means includes moisture-activated coupling means.
 27. The film unit claimed in claim 25 wherein said sealing means includes moisture-activated sealing means.
 28. The film unit claimed in claim 25 further comprising supplying means, removably disposed in contact with said first marginal portions, for providing the processing composition in between said image portions.
 29. The film unit claimed in claim 28 further comprising a carrier member removably coupled to said elements and permanently coupled to said trapping means and said supplying means.
 30. The film unit claimed in claim 29 further comprising spacing means, permanently coupled to said carrier member substantially in alignment with said coupling means and said sealing means, for assisting the compressive forces urging said second marginal portions together and said trap means closed. 